CD154: An Immunoinflammatory Mediator in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Figure 3

CD154-dependent mechanistic events in SLE patients. High levels of membrane bound and sCD154 activate various immune cells in SLE, including T cells, B cells, and monocytes. These CD154 interactions induce the release of inflammatory mediators and the production of autoantibody and Igs, leading to the generation of immune complexes and the activation of the complement system at the forefront of many clinical manifestations in SLE patients.